Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies by Name

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies got their name for obvious reasons, but why are Hershey’s Kisses called “kisses”? No one knows for sure–despite the widespread adoption of the popular possibility that it came from the sound of the chocolate morsels being dispensed onto the conveyor belt. While this is an adorable thought, my trip to the source (Hershey’s official website) gave another, more plausible, explanation.

During the early 1900s, the word “kiss” was a common term used to refer to small pieces of candy. In his delicious, entrepreneurial wisdom, Milton Hershey trademarked his product with this common term to elevate his brand recognition into a cultural icon that has lasted over 100 years! To read more about Hershey’s Kisses, including the name of its iconic flag, check out the official Hershey’s Kiss page by clicking here!

The Origin of Peanut Butter with Chocolate

While the iconic Reece’s peanut butter cup commercial (shown below) is a funny representation of the delicious combo, the real-life story is more an American dream success story! Harry Burnett (H.B.) Reese grew up on a farm and continued this tradition as he grew his family. Eventually, he had 16 children, so (over the years) he often took extra jobs to make ends meet. In 1917, he took a job at a Hershey’s Company dairy farm. This later led to a job in the chocolate factory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuENAWds5B0

His experience in the chocolate factory-inspired H.B. Reese to start his own small candy business from his home. Among his homemade creations were Reece’s peanut butter cups. The combination of peanut butter and chocolate had never been done before, and it allowed him to grow his basement side-hustle into a thriving business that even carried his company through the shortages of WWII.

In 1963, the Reece family sold the candy company to Hershey’s for $23.5 million in 1963 with H.B. Reese’s children getting roughly a five percent share in The Hershey Company. Overall, I would say the success of Reece’s PB cups demonstrates just how much people love the combination of peanut butter and chocolate.

Why Do We Love Chocolate and Peanut Butter?

The fact that people love peanut butter and chocolate is only solidified when I enjoy the melty, tasty goodness in one of my Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies! I am not one to just accept the facts, however! I had to find out why it tickles my happy food places. In the simplest terms–Brown Foods make our taste buds happy! This has little to do with color, but the processes of roasting and caramelizing create a reaction between amino acids and sugars that is chemically irresistible to most people’s taste buds. We have literal chemistry with the results.

Both peanuts and cocoa beans are roasted during the process of making chocolate and peanut butter. Many who dabble in such things claim the method and extent of roasting make all the difference in the end product for each. To read more on the science behind brown food and how to use it in your own cooking, check out my article, Brown Food: An Endless Love Affair.

The Perfect Cookie for Any Occasion

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies have the love baked right in, and it shows! No matter the real reason for the name “kiss,” no one can deny the social implications associated with giving kisses to someone. Place them on a cookie, and there can be no mistake! Love and care are put into these tasty treats. They work for a family gathering, valentine, party, thank you, or a Tuesday pick-me-up, and Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies are simple, easy, and delicious! Try this recipe and make extra because they were definitely made for sharing!